Traversing drive apparatus



D 1965 P. K. NOORDENBOS 3,225,047

TRAVERS ING DRIVE APPARATUS Filed Feb. 26, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet l FIG.I

INVENTOK PIETER KLAAS NOORDENBOS juu-k ATTORNEY P. K. NOORDENBOS TRAVERSING DRIVE APPARATUS Filed Feb. 26, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.3

FIG.4

I6 I4 J INVENTOR.

PIETER KLAAS NOORDENBOS ATTORNEY 1965 P. K. NOORDENBOS 3,226,047

TRAVERSING DRIVE APPARATUS Filed Feb. 26, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 5

INVENTOR.

PIETER KLAAS NOORDENBOS ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,226,047 TRAVERSING DRIVE APPARATUS Pieter K. Noordenbos, Ede, Netherlands, assignor to American Enka Corporation, Erika, N.C., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 26, 1964, Ser. No. 347,570

Claims priority, application Netherlands, Mar. 7, 1963,

289,942 9 Claims. (Cl. 242-48) This invention relates generally to apparatus for wind ing roller driven cross-wound yarn packages, and more particularly to such apparatus in which a grooved traverse drum is coupled to and driven by the driving roller.

The term cross-Wound yarn packages as used herein includes cross-wound packages which are cylindrical or conical with either fiat or tapered ends. A disadvantage to the known roller driven winders is that there is a constant ratio between the r.p.m. of the grooved traverse drum and that of the driving roller. Since the diameter of the package increases during winding, the r.p.m. of the package gradually decreases in relation to the r.p.m. of the driving roller and consequently also the grooved traverse drum. As a result, the ratio of the yarn traverse speed to the angular velocity of the yarn package and commonly referred to as the traverse ratio is not constant, resulting in non-uniformity in the package such as mirrors and accumulation of yarn at certain points. The reason for such non-conformity has been known for a long time. Attempts have been made to prevent this phenomenon by having the grooved traverse drum driven from the spindle supporting the yarn package instead of from the driving roller. However, this arrangement is undesirable because the work required for transmitting the motion to the traverse mechanism must be done by the frictional force between the surface of the yarn package and the driving roller. Consequently, the frictional force often becomes so great that slippage occurs resulting in an excessively high and non-uniform yarn tension.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide apparatus for winding roller driven cross-wound yarn packages not having the aforementioned disadvantages.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus for winding roller driven cross-wound yarn packages in which the traverse ratio is constant throughout the yarn package building.

Still another object of this invention is to provide traversing apparatus for winding roller driven crosswound yarn packages which will produce uniformly wound and traversed yarn packages.

These and other objects will be apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

In accordance with this invention, roller driven yarn package winding apparatus is provided which comprises a grooved traverse drum, a pulley mounted on the yarn package supporting spindle, and belt drive means connecting the two, with said pulley being integrally joined to a frictional disc which is in frictional engagement with and adapted to be driven by one end of a drive roller. As used herein, belt is also understood to include a timing belt or chain, a rope, a sprocket chain, or a simple chain. The pulley drive may be effected by maintaining said disc pressed against one edge of the driving roller, while in a position which deviates only slightly from a position coaxial with the package supporting spindle. In this manner, the disc is always driven at the same r.p.m. as the yarn package since the point of frictional contact between one edge of the drive roller and the frictional disc moves radially outward of said disc when the yarn package builds up. Thus, this movement between disc and drive roller provides a decrease in r.p.m.

Patented Dec. 28, 1965 of the disc in accordance with the decrease of r.p.m. of the yarn package during buildup thereof. The motion of the package is therefore accurately reproduced and transmitted to the traverse mechanism. In this way the yarn package or bobbin is not additionally loaded by the high frictional force required for driving the traverse mechanism. The disc may be pressed as tightly against the edge of the roller as necessary to maintain a high frictional force between the members.

Deviation of the disc from the position coaxial with the yarn package spindle need only be a few degrees. Such a position may be obtained by incorporating an elastic bushing in the bearing of the pulley. The force pressing the disc and the roller into contact may be obtained by pressing the shaft of the roller and that of the spindle in opposite directions by means of springs. It is also conceivable to keep the disc and the roller pressed into contact magnetically. In one embodiment, the pulley is mounted on the yarn package supporting spindle by means of a self-adjusting bearing and the frictional disc which is integral therewith is pressed against the driving roller by means of a weight provided inside the bearing. The pulley may be subjected to a constant load by fixedly attaching the weight to a section of the pulley in a manner to be described hereinafter.

However, it is preferred to use means whereby the load can adjust itself such that no differences occur in speed between the spindle and the pulley. This result is obtained if the weight is mounted in a hollow hub attached to the pulley and is displaceable only longitudinally. The weight is provided with a threaded hole for insertion on the threaded end of the yarn package spindle. The threaded end and hole may be given as much transverse play as necessary to allow some angular displacement of the pulley. It is also possible, however, to attach the threaded end to the yarn package spindle by means of a universal joint.

In another embodiment of the apparatus, the disc mounted on the spindle is positioned coaxial with said spindle, and is indirectly driven by the edge of the driving roller. This apparatus comprises a second driving disc which is mounted at an angle on the shaft of the driving roller and in positive engagement therewith. The disc has a diameter substantially equal to that of the driving roller and frictionally engages at an angle against the first or driven disc which is mounted on the yarn package spindle. Means are provided to vary the transmission ratio between the driving disc and the driven disc depending on the difference in speed between the driven disc and the spindle.

There are several ways of eiiecting variations in the transmission ratio. For example, if the axial bore in the driven disc is threaded, it may be secured to one end of the spindle while still allowing for axial displacement. A difference in speed between the driven disc and spindle causes axial displacement of said driven disc, which in its turn influences the angle of tilt of the driving disc. Accordingly, as the tilt of the driving disc becomes greater, its point of contact with the driven disc on the spindle is positioned further from the center thereof, resulting in the driven disc being rotated at a slower speed.

Another way of varying the transmission ratio is instead of the driven disc being displaceable in an axial direction, it is rotatably mounted on an eccentric bushing, which in turn is rotatably mounted on the spindle. The transmission ratio between the driving disc and driven disc is varied by turning the eccentric bushing. Rotation of the bushing in relation to the driven disc is effected by means of beveled gear teeth along one face of the driven disc and a separate gear ring on the spindle. A freely rotatable wheel is mounted between them and provided on both sides with beveled teeth. The driven disc, ring, and wheel are then intercoupled by two planetary gears, the shaft of one being attached to the eccentric bushing and the other to the machine frame.

To further illustrate the invention, the following description is given in relation to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts.

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective of the front of apparatus along lines I.I of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 2 is a side view along the line IIII in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a detailed view of the yarn package and driven disc on a larger scale.

FIGURE 4 is a detailed view of another embodiment of the driven disc.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view from the front of another embodiment of the apparatus.

FIGURE 6 is a view of another embodiment of the disc drive arrangement shown in FIGURE 5.

In FIGURE 1 a driving roller 1 rotates on shaft 2 in the direction indicated by the arrow. A package 3 rests against driving roller 1 and is thus caused to rotate. The package support spindle 4 is gradually raised as the package grows in size. The thread (not shown) traverses the package by means of a traversing thread guide (not shown) which is moved back and forth in grooved traverse drum 5. The shaft 6 of drum 5 is rotatable in fixed bearing 7. Pivotally mounted on shaft 6 is a swinging arm 8 in which the spindle 4 rotates.

FIGURE 2 shows the disposition of the driving roller 1, yarn package 3, and drum 5 in relation to each other from the side. As can be seen in FIGURE 1, the frictional disc 9 which is integral with the hollow hub 10 of the pulley bears against one edge of the roller 1. The frictional disc 9 is mounted freely adjustable and rotatable on spindle 4. Also integral with the hollow hub 10 of the pulley is a ring of teeth 11 which corespond with the teeth of a timing belt 12. The timing belt 12 drives gear 13 fixedly mounted on the shaft 6 and thus provides the drive for the traverse mechanism on drum 5.

A pin 14 which projects from the end of hub 10 fits in a guide groove 15. As a result, disc 9 can turn in only one plane from a position coaxial with spindle 4. Guide grove 15 is intercoupled to arm 8 and thus is straight. However, if the groove 15 is attached to the machine frame, it must have a suitably arcuate shape.

As shown in FIGURE 3, the spindle 4 has a smooth coarsely threaded end 19. A self-adjusting bearing 16 permits movement of hub It) on the spindle 4. Provided on the inside of hub 10 is a rib 17 which fits in a corresponding longitudinal groove in the weight 18. As a result, weight 18 may only be moved axially through the hub. A coarsely threaded hole is provided in the weight into which threaded end 19 fits such that ample play is left. This play permits the required tilt of disc 9 out of its coaxial position, while the threaded hole 20 provides positive contact with end 19.

If, for some reason, the rpm. of the spindle 4 is different from that on disc 9, the weight 18 will move on threaded end 19. As a result, the moment pressing the disc 9 into contact with the edge of the driving roller 1 will change. If the moment increases, the disc will adopt a closer speed to that of the driving roller. Differences in r.p.m. between disc 9 and spindle 4 may be caused by slippage between the package 3 and the roller 1, or by slippage between the roller 1 and the disc 9. In the arrangement shown in FIGURE 2, movement of belt 12 is not influenced by the tilted position of disc 9 or the swinging movement of the growing package.

FIGURE 4 is a view of somewhat different construction of the detail shown in FIGURE 3. End 19 has a finer thread and fits tighter in the weight 18, so that less clearance is left. In order that disc 9 may still be tilted, end 19 is attached to spindle 4 by means of a universal joint 21. The center about which the joint turns coincides with the path of the spherical frustum bounded by the outer ring of bearing 16.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 5, a disc 22 is mounted on drive shaft 2 by means of a universal joint within drum 23. As a result of the weight distribution in; the joint, the disc 22 has a tendency to tilt to the left, so that it bears against disc 24. When disc 22 rotates, the friction between it and disc 24 produces rotary motion in the disc. Teeth 25 are provided in the hub for engagement with timing belt 12. The disc 24 rotates on an eccentric bushing 26, which may turn on spindle 4.

Four bevel toothed rings 27, 28, 29 and 30 are attached, respectively, to the disc 24, to the spindle 4, and to an intermediate wheel mounted rotatable on said spindle. The toothed rings 27 and 29 are intercoupled by a planetary gear 32, the shaft of which is mounted in eccentric bushing 26. Likewise, the toothed rings 28 and 30 are intercoupled by a gear 31, which is mounted on the machine frame. The shaft of the gear 32, and consequently the bushing 26, are stationary if the disc 24 is synchronized with spindle 4. In such case, the speed vectors of the points of engagement of the toothed rings 27 and 29 with the planetary gear 32 are not symmetric with respect to the shaft of the gear. However, as soon as a difference in speed occurs between the disc 24 and the spindle 4, the bushing 26 will turn at a speed which is equal to half the difference in speed between the disc 24 and the spindle 4.

The direction of this speed is the same as, or opposite to that of the rotation of the disc 24, depending on whether the speed of this disc is greater or less than that of the spindle 4. If the bushing 26 turns so that the distance between the pulley spindle and the driving shaft 2 increases, then the rotation of disc 24 is retarded. Two stops (not shown) prevent the bushing 26 from making more than half a turn.

FIGURE 6 shows a somewhat modified apparatus in which the disc 24 is rotatably mounted on spindle 4 by means of a thread 33. Here again the driving disc 22 is tiltable with respect to shaft 2 by means of a universal joint. If the disc 24 lags behind the spindle 4, it is displaced along shaft 2 in the direction of the package 3. The disc 22 then tilts back and its point of contact with disc 24 will be nearer the center thereof. As a result, disc 24 will rotate at a higher speed, and catch up with spindle 4.

Other variations and embodiments of the apparatus will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention is only intended to be limited to the extent set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for Winding roller driven cross-wound yarn packages comprising a grooved traverse drum, a yarn package supporting spindle, a driving roller for imparting rotary motion to a yarn package on said spindle, a friction disc rotatably mounted on said spindle and adapted to be directly driven by said driving roller at a point on said disc that moves radially outward from the center of said disc as the yarn builds up on said spindle, whereby the angular velocity of said friction disc decreases in proportion to that of said spindle, and means coupled between said friction disc and said traverse drum for imparting rotary motion to said traverse drum at an angular velocity which varies in proportion to that of said friction disc.

2. Apparatus for winding roller driven cross-wound yarn packages comprising a grooved traverse drum, a yarn package supporting spindle, a driving roller for imparting rotary motion to a yarn package on said spindle, a supporting frame, and means for driving said traverse drum from said driving roller, said means comprising a disc mounted on one end of said spindle, and drive means connecting said disc with said grooved traverse drum, with said disc being driven by direct frictional contact with one end of said driving roller.

3. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said disc is frictionally driven by said driving roller at a point on said disc lying on the extension of a line of contact between said driving roller and said yarn package.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 in which the disc is maintained in a position which deviates only slightly from a position coaxial with the yarn package supporting spindle and is pressed in frictional contact against one edge of the driving roller.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 in which the disc is mounted on the spindle by means of a self-adjusting bearing, said bearing enabling said disc to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the axis of said spindle while being pressed against the driving roller by means of a weight mounted beside the bearing,

6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which the weight is provided in a hollow hub attached to the disc and is axially displaceable in relation to the disc depending upon fluctuations in winding speed.

7. Apparatus for winding roller driven cross-Wound yarn packages comprising a grooved traverse drum, a yarn package supporting spindle, a driving roller mounted on a rotatable shaft for imparting rotary motion to a yarn package on said spindle, a supporting frame, means for driving said traverse drum from said driving roller, said means comprising a first disc mounted on one end of said spindle, drive means connecting said first disc with said grooved traverse drum, a second disc tiltably mounted on the shaft of the driving roller and in positive engagement therewith, said second disc having a diameter substantially equal to that of the driving roller, rotation being imparted to said first disc through frictional contact of one edge of the said first disc with the edge of said second disc, and means provided to vary the transmission ratio between the second disc and first disc depending on speed differences between the first disc and yarn package supporting spindle.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which said first disc is threadedly mounted on the spindle such that said first disc may turn to provide the axial displacement and thus vary the transmission ratio.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 in which said first disc is rotatably mounted on an eccentric bushing, said bushing in turn being rotatably mounted on said spindle, a beveled gear ring provided on one side of said first disc and on the spindle, a freely rotatable wheel having beveled gears on each side of the periphery thereof mounted between said rings, said rings and Wheel intercoupled by two planetary gears, the shaft of one planetary gear being mounted in the eccentric bushing and the other in the frame of said apparatus.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,248,898 12/1917 Parks 24243 1,544,257 6/1925 McKean 24218 2,259,364 10/ 1941 Bartholomew 24226 2,605,053 7/1952 Broden 24226 MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner.

STANLEY N. GILREATH, W. S. BURDEN,

Assistant Examiners. 

2. APPARATUS FOR WINDING ROLLER DRIVEN CROSS-WOUND YARN PACKAGE COMPRISING A GROOVED TRAVERSE DRUM, A YARN PACKAGE SUPPORTING SPINDLE, A DRIVING ROLLER FOR IMPARTING ROTARY MOTION TO A YARN PACKAGE ON SAID SPINDLE, A SUPPORTING FRAME, AND MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID TRAVERSE DRUM FROM SAID DRIVING ROLLER, SAID MEANS COMPRISING A DISC MOUNTED ON ONE END OF SAID SPINDLE, AND DRIVE MEANS CONNECTING SAID DISC WITH SAID GROOVED TRAVERSE DRUM, WITH SAID DISC BEING DRIVEN BY DIRECT FRICTIONAL CONTACT WITH ONE END OF SAID DRIVING ROLLER. 